Dead Dolphins, Sea Lions Found On Ventura County Beach

Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2011 1:17pm

Marine biology experts say that a natural toxin is responsible for the deaths of more than a half dozen dolphins, and sea lions which washed up on Oxnard beaches.

A naturally occuring toxin called domoic acid enters the food chain through plankton, which end up in small fish. If dolphins or sea lions eat enough of the fish with the acid buildup, it can be fatal. It’s an occurance which occurs almost every year along the Southern California coastline.